When is bare hand contact with Ready to Eat (RTE) food permitted?

Bare hand contact with Ready to Eat (RTE) food is permitted under specific conditions. While choice A suggests that bare hand contact is allowed when preparing raw meats, this is not accurate for practices involving RTE foods. RTE foods are those that do not require further cooking or processing before consumption, such as salads, fruits, and deli meats.

The correct context for permitting bare hand contact with RTE foods would typically be found in situations involving serving or plating food, especially when precautions are taken to ensure cleanliness and safety. However, the preferred best practice in food safety is to minimize the risk of contamination by using utensils or gloves when handling RTE foods.

In summary, while bare hand contact might be suggested in certain circumstances, it is generally advised to avoid it when dealing with RTE foods to maintain hygiene and prevent foodborne illnesses. Proper handling practices focus on using gloves or tools especially during preparation and serving to protect food safety standards.